On the Agenda
6 April 2017
Rotorua ratepayers pay less for water supply, stormwater and wastewater services than 50 other districts/cities in New Zealand.
Council was involved in Water NZ's National Performance Review (NPR) for the year ended 30 June 2016, an annual benchmarking exercise for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater service delivery.
Fifty Councils and water service CCOs (council-controlled organisations) took part, an update in the Operational Report for today's Operations and Monitoring Committee meeting says.
The final report for 2015/16 showed Rotorua's results in most areas were on a par with the average for medium-sized Councils but in other areas were outside the mid-range:
- Operating expenditure per property for wastewater (higher).
- Energy use per unit of wastewater (higher).
- Water loss from network (slightly higher).
- Residential water charges (lowest in group).
- Overall 3-waters charges (lower).
It is considered that Rotorua's sensitive lakes environment necessitates higher than average wastewater expenditure to achieve high quality treatment.
It is also recognised that water loss is an issue the needs to be addressed as part of future water conservation and security of supply strategies.
Also from the operations report
Museum testing - The second stage of investigations at Rotorua Museum are continuing with invasive testing determining structural integrity. The testing was approved by Heritage New Zealand and geotechnical testing is also continuing.
iSite upgrade - Discovery of asbestos and unrecorded defects has required extra steel work as part of earthquake strengthening of the tower end of the iSite building. However the work remains on schedule and will bring that part of the building to 100% of the new building standards.
National cycleway - An application is being prepared to seek funding from the government's Maintaining Great Rides fund for upgrades to two sections of Rotorua's Te Ara Ahi national cycleway
Rotorua CBD a neat place' - Staff are working with Neat Places to create a guide that includes hospitality and retail locations deemed neat and walks in our city. Other cities which have these guides are Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Cities must meet the criteria set by Neat Places and a Rotorua guide has been confirmed. The guides will be available from the iSite and accommodation providers and will be provided for the likes of conference packs and for overseas outlets to distribute.
Hemo gorge sculpture - Council is still in negotiations with a preferred contractor for construction of the sculpture for the Hemo gorge roundabout. Council has also been approaching potential funding partners and there is interest.
Art in public spaces - Four pieces from the last sculpture symposium have been moved to the edges of the lake in Kuirau Park. Meanwhile a new mural being commissioned for Kaingaroa will be driven by community leaders, working with youth and a local artist.
Eco-design service - A contract has been signed with Sustainability Options to provide free, independent, personalised eco-design and home performance advice to locals. The service is being established as part of the work of the Sustainability Portfolio and funding is being contributed by Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
Youth engagement - The new youth engagement model has been well received by youth providers who have indicated their preference for Council to employ the proposed coordinator role. They also proposed that the community sector contribute funding to enable a full-time position.
Young leaders - An additional Tuia programme representative has been selected. Queenisha Davis will join Hone Morris.
Gambling policy review - A survey of public views to assist in decision-making for Council's gambling policy review has been completed and results will be included in an options paper to go before the Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee later this month.
Building consents - The total value of building consents issued for the financial year to date is $75m, 28% up on the previous year. The total number of consents for new dwellings issued (69) is 17% higher than the same time last year when there were 59.
Museum services - About 10,000 people visited Rotorua Museum's Da Vinci exhibition at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre and eight events run in recent weeks were attended by more than 2000 people, the largest being the Children's Day which was attended by nearly 1000.
Youth spaces - Funding of $80,000 from the Department of Internal Affairs will contribute toward the Youth Spaces Plus programme during the next two years, providing opportunities for rangitahi to gain experience as volunteers at Council-hosted events.
Road re-seals - The resealing of about 70km of local roads (71 urban and 35 rural) has been completed as part of Council's annual roading programme. Other capital projects are underway or nearing completion including Dods Road seal extension and drainage for Relph road; improved parking and work to alleviate congestion at Kawaha Point School; Gem Street traffic calming; Gordon Road footpath replacement; extension of footpath at Rotoiti. Culvert replacement in Dalbeth Road has been postponed due to consent requirement complications although Council still plans to complete the work this year.
Springfield intersection - A controlled crossing is proposed at the intersection of Springfield and Otonga roads to improve safety of children riding and walking to and from school. The intervention was prompted by accidents and requests from Otonga School for improved safety. The proposed solution will see installation of signal controlled pedestrian crossing facilities on two sides.
CyWay programme - Work will start soon on an inner city link around Hospital Hill, linking the proposed shared path the length of Ranolf Street with the existing Lake Road path, leading to the lakefront. The work is expected to be completed by the end of May.
Waste services - A Solid Waste Assessment Process analysis is being undertaken in late April/early May to identify opportunities to divert more waste from landfill. Waste minimisation education, particularly around increased opportunities for recycling, will also begin soon.
Illegal dumping - Council has been exploring options to better target illegal dumping through hot spot mapping and CCTV monitoring. These methods will now be trialled in other areas to test their effectiveness.
Go to p57 of THE AGENDA to view the full Operational Report
Also on the agenda
- The Committee will be asked to recommend to Council that it approve a contract for Fletcher Construction to undertake the final stage of the City Focus refresh. Fletcher has agreed to a fixed price of $1.135m. Stages one and two cost a total of $231,000 and the project will be completed within the budget agreed in the Long-term Plan. Go to THIS LINK to find out more about this.
- Council operating revenues continue to track ahead of budget this financial year with most activities within budget and increased revenues helping to offset other areas. There is no change to the end-of-year operating forecast provided at 31 December 2017. Lost museum revenue means Council will not be able to achieve budget and will likely end the year $1.3m behind budget. Go to p16 of THE AGENDA for the full report on this.
- The Operations and Monitoring Committee meeting on Thursday [6 April] will start at 9.30am and is open to the public.
- The agenda can be viewed HERE
- The meeting will be livestreamed and can be viewed by going to THIS LINK on Council's website http://www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/